Support member for elevating a retaining wall panel

ABSTRACT

A support member for elevating a retaining wall panel includes a base arrangement with a first area that engages an underlying mounting surface. A height elevating section extends from the base arrangement to a third area. The height elevating section has a receiving area configured to connect to a wall panel. A sloped surface extends between the base arrangement proximate the first area and the height elevating section proximate to the third area. The sloped surface is configured to support a load bearing panel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/887,898 filed on Aug. 16, 2019, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to a support member for elevating apanel of a retaining wall. Specifically, the present invention isdirected to a support member for use when building an ice skating rinkon ground that is sloped or otherwise unleveled.

BACKGROUND

In cold climates it is common to create a structure on a yard, field, orhard court that acts as a perimeter for an outdoor ice skating rink.Prior art ice rinks are often made from wooden, plastic, or metal boardsand brackets that form the perimeter of the rink and a water impermeableliner that covers the perimeter and provides a barrier for the water andice. Ice skating rinks that are set up in this manner must be portableand easily assembled because the ice rinks are moved and are erected andtaken down on an annual basis. It is important that the assembly is easywhile also producing a safe, complete ice skating rink for the user.

One of the main challenges in constructing temporary outdoor ice skatingrinks is the slope of the underlying surface. If the underlying surfaceis sloped, the water that will eventually freeze into ice gathers orpools at the lower end of the rink due to the force of gravity. As aresult, the area under the ice rink must be relatively flat or the waterwill collect and freeze into ice that is uneven and does not reachentirely across the ice rink. Prior art temporary outdoor ice skatingrinks allow for a maximum of one vertical foot of slope across theentire ice rink.

There are no economically feasible or widely available solutions forallowing more than one vertical foot of slope across the area of theportable ice rink. One prior art solution, is to have the yard orsurface professionally graded. This option is prohibitively timeintensive and costly for the land owner. Having a suitably gradedsurface is often undesirable to the land owner because it cansignificantly hinder drainage. Another prior art solution is to usetaller boards to hold deeper water at one end of the rink. Thesedeep-water solutions use heavily-reinforced boards to withstand the verylarge force generated by several feet of water pressing against theboard. This option is prohibitively expensive because the wallstructures must be highly reinforced to withstand the force generated bythe water. This option also requires a very large amount of frictionbetween the boards and the ground itself, necessitating large metal orplastic spikes or stakes that penetrate the underlying surface.Penetrating the underlying surface in this manner is also oftenundesirable to the land owner.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for an economicallyfeasible, easily assembled temporary ice skating rink that allows morethan one foot of slope across the rink.

SUMMARY

There is disclosed herein a support member for elevating a retainingwall panel. The support member includes a base arrangement with a firstarea (A). The base arrangement engages a mounting surface. A heightelevating section extends from the base arrangement near the first area(A) to a second area (C). The height elevating section has a firstreceiving area that receives a wall panel. A sloped surface extendsbetween the base arrangement near the first area (A) and the heightelevating section near the second area (C). The sloped surface supportsa load bearing panel extending between the first area (A) and the secondarea (C).

In some embodiments, the sloped surface includes at least one mountingarea that receives a lateral brace member.

In some embodiments, a tension member secures to a second receiving areaof the support member.

In some embodiments, the base arrangement includes an anti-skid feature.

In some embodiments, the support member is a unitary body.

In some embodiments, a gusset extends between the base arrangement, theheight elevating section and the sloped surface.

In some embodiments, the base arrangement, the height elevating sectionand the sloped surface are connected to one another.

In some embodiments, an opening extends laterally through the supportmember.

In some embodiments, the base arrangement, the height elevating section,and the sloped surface form a triangular shape or an A-shape.

In some embodiments, the support member has a first side face and asecond side face defining a lateral thickness (T1).

In some embodiments, the sloped surface is at a first angle (δ) relativeto the base arrangement. In some embodiments, the first angle (δ) isbetween about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees.

In some embodiments, the height elevating section has an edge orientedat a second angle (α), relative to the base arrangement. In someembodiments, the second angle (α) is less than 90 degrees.

In some embodiments, the height elevating section has an edge orientedat a second angle (α), relative to the base arrangement. In someembodiments, the second angle (α) is about 87 degrees.

In some embodiments, the first receiving area supports the wall panelvertically, when the base arrangement is positioned on the mountingsurface.

In some embodiments, the height elevating section extends a height (H1)and the base arrangement extends a length (L1). The support member hasan aspect ratio equal to the thickness (T1) divided by a sum of theheight (H1) plus the length (L1).

In some embodiments, the aspect ratio is a fractional number.

In some embodiments, the aspect ratio is greater than 1.0.

In some embodiments, the height elevating section slopes inwardly towardthe first area (A).

In some embodiments, the height elevating section slopes outwardly awayfrom the first area (A).

In some embodiments, the height elevating section is positioned apredetermined distance (H2) above the mounting surface.

In some embodiments, a lip extends from the base arrangement near thefirst area (A). The lip has a panel receiving area that receives an endof a load bearing panel.

In some embodiments, the receiving area of the height elevating sectionabuts the wall panel vertically when the base arrangement is positionedon the mounting surface.

In some embodiments, the support member is an elongate beam.

In some embodiments, the support member is a flat sheet.

In some embodiments, the sloped surface removeably secures to the basearrangement and the height elevating section.

In some embodiments, the sloped surface is selectively positionable onand removeably secured to the base arrangement and the height elevatingsection.

In some embodiments, the base arrangement and the height elevatingsection are L-shaped.

In some embodiments, the base arrangement and the height elevatingsection are a unitary member.

In some embodiments, the height elevating section is integral with thewall panel.

In some embodiments, the wall panel extends from the sloped surface.

In some embodiments, the wall panel and the sloped surface are L-shaped.

In some embodiments, the wall panel and the sloped surface are orientedat an angle (θ2) relative to one another and the angle (θ2) is less than90 degrees.

In some embodiments, the base arrangement forms a shim receiving slot.

In some embodiments, a second sloped surface extends from the first sideface or the second side face.

In some embodiments, the second sloped surface is integral with thefirst side face or the second side face.

In some embodiments, the second sloped surface removeably secures to thefirst side face or the second side face.

There is also disclosed herein a retaining wall elevating structureincluding a support member and a load bearing panel on the supportmember.

In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, the loadbearing panel extends along a slope between the mounting surface nearthe first area (A) to the height elevating section near the second area(C).

In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, a wallpanel extends vertically upward from the mounting surface and the wallpanel is positioned substantially vertically in the first receivingarea.

In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, a linerdrapes over the wall panel and the load bearing panel.

In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, the loadbearing panel is disposed on and extends over two support members.

In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, a lateralbrace member extends between the two support members.

In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, the loadbearing panel is supported by the lateral brace member.

In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, thesupport member is positioned substantially inwardly of the wall panel.

In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, a numberof support members of a first support member size, a second supportmember size, and a third support member size. The first support membersize is smaller than the second support member size and the secondsupport member size is less than the third support member size.

In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating structure, a wallpanel is in each adjacent pair of the support members and the wallpanels all intersect a common horizontal plane (WL).

In some embodiments, at least one wall shim is in the receiving area toadjust a height of the wall panel.

In some embodiments, at least one wall shim is under the support memberto adjust a height of the wall panel.

There is also disclosed herein a retaining wall elevating memberincluding a sloped sheet and an integral wall panel extending at anangle.

In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating member, the wallpanel and the sloped sheet are L-shaped.

In some embodiments of the retaining wall elevating member, the wallpanel and the sloped sheet are oriented at an angle (θ2) relative to oneanother and the angle (θ2) is less than 90 degrees.

There is also disclosed herein, an ice skating rink including theretaining wall system.

In some embodiments of the ice skating rink, the support members arepositioned substantially inside the rink.

In some embodiments of the ice skating rink, a liner drapes over anumber of tension members. The tension members extend under the linerand are in frictional engagement with the mounting surface. One of thetension members is secured to each of two generally opposing supportmembers.

In some embodiments of the ice skating rink, a bracket supports aretaining wall and a liner draped over a number of tension membersextending under the liner and in frictional engagement with the mountingsurface. One of the tension members is secured to one of the supportsand a bracket.

In some embodiments of the ice skating rink, the bracket is locatedsubstantially outside of the ice skating rink.

In some embodiments of the support member, the base arrangement extendsfrom the first area (A) to a third area (B) near the mounting surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts an isometric view of a first embodiment of a supportmember according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B depicts an isometric view of a second embodiment of a supportmember according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C depicts an isometric view of a third embodiment of a supportmember according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D depicts an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of a supportmember according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 1E depicts an isometric view of a fifth embodiment of a supportmember according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 1F depicts an isometric view of a sixth embodiment of a supportmember according to the present disclosure including a load bearingpanel;

FIG. 1G depicts an isometric view of a seventh embodiment of a supportmember according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A depicts a side view of a retaining wall elevating structureincorporating the support members of FIG. 1A and a water impermeableliner;

FIG. 2B depicts a side view of a retaining wall elevating structureincorporating the support members of FIG. 1G and a water impermeableliner;

FIG. 3 depicts an isometric view of the retaining wall elevatingstructure of FIG. 2A with a portion of the load bearing panel omittedand a portion of the retaining wall elevating structure depicted inphantom;

FIG. 4 depicts an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of asupport member according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A depicts an isometric view of a bracket with the wall paneldepicted in phantom;

FIG. 5B depicts a side view of the bracket of FIG. 5A in an assembledstate;

FIG. 6 depicts a first support member size, a second support membersize, and a third support member size with similar structures to thesupport member of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 7 depicts a retaining wall system that incorporates the supportmembers of FIG. 6 to accommodate a sloped mounting surface;

FIG. 8 depicts the retaining wall system of FIG. 7 incorporating shimsto raise the wall panels to the same level;

FIG. 9 depicts an ice skating rink incorporating both the brackets ofFIGS. 5A and 5B and the retaining wall system of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10A depicts a side view of an alternate embodiment of a supportmember disclosed herein incorporating a wall panel and load bearingpanel that are a single member;

FIG. 10B depicts an isometric view of the support member, wall panel,and load bearing panel of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11 depicts an isometric view of another alternative embodiment of asupport member according to the present disclosure including loadbearing panels depicted in phantom;

FIG. 12A depicts a retaining wall system that incorporates the supportmembers of FIG. 6 on a steeper sloped surface than FIG. 7;

FIG. 12B depicts a retaining wall system that incorporates the supportmembers of FIG. 6 on an extreme steep sloped surface;

FIG. 13A depicts a side view of an alternate embodiment of a supportmember according to the present disclosure including a support shim; and

FIG. 13B depicts an end sectional view of the support member and supportshim of FIG. 13A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1F, various embodiments of a support member forelevating a retaining wall panel 12 is generally designated by referencenumeral 10. Referring to FIG. 1A and 2A, the support member 10 includesa base arrangement 14 having a first area A proximate to a first end ofthe support member and a second area B proximate to the a second endopposite the first end. The base arrangement 14 engages a ground (e.g.,lawn, asphalt, soil, etc.) or other mounting surface 1. A heightelevating section 16 extends from the base arrangement 14 proximate tothe second area B to a third area C. The height elevating section 16defines a receiving area 18 that receives a wall panel 12X. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, the wall panel 12X is secured by a pin,screw, nail, or other fastening means (not depicted) to the firstreceiving area 18. A sloped surface 20 extends between the basearrangement 14 proximate to the first area A and the height elevatingsection 16 proximate to the third area C. The sloped surface 20 supportsa load bearing panel 22 extending between the first area A and the thirdarea C. The sloped surface 20 is canted at a first angle (δ) relative tothe base arrangement 14. A liner 50 drapes over the load bearing panel22 and the wall panel 12X.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1C-1G, the sloped surface 20includes two optional mounting areas 20M, each for receiving a lateralbrace member 24 (e.g., a wooden two inch by four inch piece of lumber,etc.) (depicted in FIGS. 2A-3). Referring to FIG. 3, the lateral bracemember 24 is an additional support structure that engages the supportmember 10. The support member 10 depicted in FIG. 1B omits the mountingareas 20M discussed previously. In some embodiments, the support member10 has a receiving area 26 for securing a tension member 5 (e.g., astrap or web made of nylon or equivalent) thereto. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 1A, the receiving area 26 is located proximate to thefirst area A. As depicted in the isolated view in FIG. 2A, the tensionmember 5 engages (e.g., removeably seats or locks into). the receivingarea 26, travels under the base arrangement 14, travels under the lowerend of the load bearing panel 22, and ultimately travels under the waterimpermeable liner 50 to connect to another support member 10 at theopposite end (see FIG. 9). In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, thereceiving area 26 penetrates the base arrangement 14 and terminates inan eyelet 26E. The eyelet 26E retains the end 5H of the tension member5. In the depicted embodiment, the tension member end 5H passes throughthe eyelet 26E from one side of the support member 10A to the other sideof the support member 10B. In the depicted embodiment, the tension slot16A extends from the eyelet 26E to the base arrangement 14. Otherconfigurations of the receiving area 26 and tension member 5 do notdepart from the device disclosed herein. In the depicted embodiment, thelocation of the receiving area 26 is proximate to the first area A. Inother embodiments, the location of the receiving area 26 is at thesecond area B, between the first area A and the second area B, or alongthe edge 16E of the elevating section 16 between the second area B andthird area C. Other locations for the receiving area 26 do not departfrom the device disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the receiving area 18 of the height elevatingsection 16 extends a height H1 above the base arrangement 14 (i.e.,between the first area A and the third area C) and the base arrangement14 extends a length L1 (i.e., between the first area A and the secondarea (B). The support member 10 has an aspect ratio defined by thethickness T1 divided by a sum of the height H1 plus the length L1. Theaspect ratio is a fractional number. In one embodiment, the supportmember 10 has a height H1 of twelve inches, a length L1 of twelveinches, and a thickness of two inches, resulting in an aspect ratio ofapproximately 0.08. In one embodiment, the support member 10 has aheight H1 of twenty four inches, a length L1 of twenty four inches, anda thickness of two inches, resulting in an aspect ratio of approximately0.04. In one embodiment, the support member 10 has a height H1 of twelveinches, a length L1 of twelve inches, and a thickness of four inches,resulting in an aspect ratio of approximately 0.17. In some embodiments,the aspect ratio is between 0.03 and 0.20. In some embodiments, theaspect ratio is greater than 1.0. The aspect ratio of the support member10 depicted in FIG. 4 is approximately 1.47.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1E, and 1F, the basearrangement 14, the height elevating section 16 and the sloped surface20 form a substantially triangular shape. Other shapes, such as apolygon, trapezoid, hexagon, etc., do not depart from the scope of thedevice disclosed herein.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1C, the support member 10 includes anopening 30 extending laterally therethrough. In the embodiment depictedin FIG. 1D, the base arrangement 14, the height elevating section 16,and the sloped surface 20 form an A-shape with a void 40 interruptingthe base arrangement 14 of the support member 10. Referring to FIG. 1F,the support member 10 includes a lip 77 extending from the basearrangement 14 proximate to the first area A. The lip 77 has a panelreceiving area 77B that receives an end of a load bearing panel 22therein.

FIG. 1G depicts an embodiment of the support member 10 that omits thesecond area (B). In the depicted embodiment, the height elevatingsection 16 extends along the sloped surface 20 from the first area (A)to the third area (C). In alternate embodiments of the support member10, similar to that depicted in FIG. 1G, the sloped surface 20 isdefined by a convex or concave arcuate curve. In some embodiments, thesupport member 10 is substantially rectangular, trapezoidal, orotherwise polygonal. In some embodiments, the ends of the support member10 are beveled or cut at an angle (i.e., ends that are 46 degrees or 30to 60 degrees measured relative to the sloped surface.

In the depicted embodiments, the base arrangement 14 has an anti-skidfeature 14A to increase the friction between the bottom of the basearrangement 14 and the mounting surface 1. In the depicted embodiments,the anti-skid feature 14A is a series of angled teeth extending from thebase arrangement 14. Other features, such as pins, protrusions, ribs, orother means of increasing the friction between the base arrangement 14and the mounting surface 1 do not depart from the device disclosedherein. In other embodiments, the lower surface of the base arrangement14 is substantially smooth. In the depicted embodiments, the supportmember 10 is a unitary body, but other arrangements do not depart fromthe devices disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the base arrangement14, the height elevating section 16, and the sloped surface 20 areseparate pieces connected to one another. In some embodiments, a gusset10G extends between the base arrangement 14, the height elevatingsection 16, and/or the sloped surface 20.

FIG. 4 depicts an alternate embodiment in which the support member 10extends the length of the wall panel 12X and has a first side face 10Aand a second side face 10B defining a lateral thickness T2 therebetween.The aspect ratio of the support member 10 depicted in FIG. 4 isapproximately 1.47. In another embodiment, the support member 10 has aheight H1 of twelve inches, a length L1 of twelve inches, and athickness of seventy two inches, resulting in an aspect ratio ofapproximately 3.00. In some embodiments, the aspect ratio is between1.25 and 3.25.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a retaining wall elevating structure 100incorporates the support members 10. A load bearing panel 22 is disposedon the sloped surface 20 of the support members 10. In the depictedembodiment, the load bearing panel 22 extends in a sloped manner betweenthe mounting surface 1 proximate to the first area A and the heightelevating section 16 proximate to the third area C. In the depictedembodiment, the retaining wall elevating structure 100 includes a wallpanel 12X positioned substantially vertically, engaging the receivingarea 18 of the height elevating section 16. In some embodiments, a pin,screw, nail, or other fastening means fixes the wall panel 12X to thereceiving area 18 of the support member 10. A water impermeable liner 50drapes over the wall panel 12X and the load bearing panel 22. In thedepicted embodiment, the load bearing panel 22 is disposed on andextends over two support members 10. Two (optional) lateral bracemembers 24 extend between the support members 10. The lateral bracemembers 24 provide further support for the load bearing panel 22. FIG.2B depicts an alternate embodiment of the retaining well elevatingstructure 100 incorporating the support member 10 of FIG. 1G.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1A-2B, the support member 10 ispositioned inwardly of the wall panel 12X. This arrangement is theopposite of that provided by a bracket 3, as depicted in FIGS. 5A and5B. The majority of the depicted bracket 3 is positioned outside of thewall panels 12X (e.g., outside the perimeter of the ice rink). A tensionmember 5 reaches below the wall panels 12X to mate with the bracket 3outside of the perimeter of the ice rink. In FIG. 7, the bracket 3supports a joint between two adjacent wall panels 12X. In otherembodiments, the bracket 3 supports a single wall panel 12X (notdepicted). The bracket 3 does not accommodate mounting surfaces with atotal slope greater than one foot.

FIGS. 7-9 depict a retaining wall system 1000 installed on a slopedmounting surface 1 including a number of support members similar instructure to the support member 10, but having three different sizes.There is a first support member size 10S, a second support member size10M, and a third support member size 10L. The first support member size10S is smaller than the second support member size 10M and the secondsupport member size 10M is smaller than the third support member size10L. The three support members 10S, 10M, 10L are depicted side by sidefor the purposes of comparison in FIG. 6. The depicted first supportmember size 10S has a height elevating section 16 that extends a firstheight H1 and a base arrangement 14 that extends a first length L1. Thedepicted second support member size 10M has a height elevating section16 that extends a second height H2 and a base arrangement 14 thatextends a second length L2. The depicted third support member size 10Lhas a height elevating section 16 that extends a third height H3 and abase arrangement 14 that extends a third length L3. In the depictedembodiment, the first support member size 10S, the second support membersize 10M, and the third support member size 10L all have a structuresimilar to the support member 10 depicted in FIG. 1A. In someembodiments of the retaining wall system 1000, two different sizedsupport members (i.e., one support member 10S and one support member10M, one support member 10M and one support member 10L, etc.) areconnected to a single wall panel 12X.

Referring to FIG. 8, a wall panel 12X is disposed in each adjacent pairof the support members 10 such that the wall panels 12X all intersect ahorizontal water level WL. In the depicted embodiments, the bottom ofall wall panels 12X rest on the mounting surface 1. FIGS. 7 and 8 depicta mounting surface 1 that slopes downward from left to right an angle θ.The depicted mounting surface 1 extends from a first level surface 1002to a second level surface 1006 with a sloped surface 1004 therebetween.In the depicted embodiment, the sloped surface 1004 is relativelyconstant and canted at a relatively small angle. The support membersdisclosed herein also accommodate steeper slopes, as discussed belowwith respect to FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 7, the water that willultimately freeze into ice fills the retaining wall system 1000 up to awater level line WL. A water impermeable liner 50 (depicted in FIGS. 2Aand 2B) is laid over the retaining wall system 1000, overlapping thewall panels 12X, to retain the water that ultimately freezes into ice.In order for the wall panels 12X to be used for the entire perimeter ofthe retaining wall system 1000 each wall panel 12X must be raised atleast to the height of the water level WL. This prevents the water fromspilling out of the retaining wall system 1000 prior to freezing intoice and high enough to retain objects such as hockey pucks. The firstsupport member size 10S raises the wall panel 12X contained therein tothe first height H1. The second support member size 10M raises the wallpanels 12X contained therein to the second height H2. The third supportmember size 10L raises the wall panels 12X contained therein to thethird height H3.

FIG. 12A depicts a retaining wall system 1000 similar to that depictedin FIG. 8, but installed on and accommodating a mounting surface 1 withan extremely steep slope for angled portion 1004. In FIG. 12A, a wallshim 70 is inserted below each of the wall panels 12X to raise an edgeof the wall panel 12X a desired distance to orient the wall panel 12Xhorizontally. FIG. 12B depicts a retaining wall system 1000 similar tothat depicted in FIG. 7, but installed on and accommodating a mountingsurface 1 with an extremely steep slope for angled portion 1004. In FIG.12B the wall panel 12X is not raised from the mounting surface 1 and thebottom of each wall panel 12X is generally aligned with the mountingsurface 1. In the depicted embodiment, the angle of the angled surface1004 is exaggerated for illustrative purposes only.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, a customizable number ofwall shims 70 are placed below each of the wall panels 12X to adjust theheight of the wall panels 12X and to orient the top of the wall panel12X horizontally. Referring to FIG. 8, as the mounting surface 1 slopesdownward, from left to right in the figure, the bottom 18B of eachreceiving area 18 is at lower positions than the previous receiving area18, relative to the water line WL, resulting in lower positions of eachsuccessive wall panel 12X (as depicted in FIG. 7). In some cases,inserting one or more wall shims 70 below the wall panel (depicted indetail in FIGS. 8 and 12A) is sufficient to raise the engagement pointwith the wall panel 12X, thereby allowing the top of the wall panel 12Xto remain horizontally oriented and at the desired depth D2 relative tothe water line WL. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, all wall panels12X extend a first distance D1 above the water line WL. In someembodiments, the wall panels 12X extend different distances above thewater line WL. In other cases, the second support member size 10M or thethird support member size 10L alone or in combination with one or morewall shims 70 is necessary to maintain the desired orientation and depthof the wall panel 12X.

FIG. 9 depicts an ice skating rink 2000 incorporating the retaining wallsystem 1000 disclosed herein. The slope of the underlying mountingsurface 1 of FIG. 9 is similar to that depicted in FIG. 7. Approximatelyhalf of the perimeter formed by the wall panels 12X is supported bybrackets 3 on the outside of the perimeter. The wall panels 12Xassembled on the first level surface 1002 are supported by the brackets3; the wall panels 12X assembled on the sloped surface 1004 aresupported by the support members 10S, 10M, and 10L; and the wall panels12X assembled on the second level surface 1006 are supported by thesupport members 10L. Incorporating brackets 3 in this manner is possiblebecause the underlying portion of the mounting surface 1 is relativelylevel. As the mounting surface 1 slopes downwards, support members 10S,10M, and 10L are necessary to maintain the wall panels 12X in thepreferred orientations and at the preferred depths (in the depictedembodiment, the preferred depth is designated by the lower end of thewall panel 12X measuring D2 from the water line WL). In someembodiments, the preferred depth varies around the perimeter of theretaining wall system 1000 and in other embodiments the preferred depthvaries based on time of year or other factors related to water retentionand freezing ability.

In some embodiments, the ice skating rink 2000 includes tension members5 extending under the water impermeable liner 50 and in frictionalengagement with the mounting surface 1. Referring to FIG. 9, eachdepicted tension member 5 secures to each of two generally opposingsupport members 10. In some embodiments, multiple tension members 5extend under the water impermeable liner 50 and are in frictionalengagement with the mounting surface 1. In the depicted embodiment,tension members 5 connect a bracket 3 to an opposite bracket 3, abracket 2 to an opposite support member 10L, and a support member 10S toan opposite support member 10S. In some embodiments, a tension memberconnects two support members of different sizes.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the wall panel 112Xand the load bearing panel in the form of a sloped sheet 220 areincorporated into a single united element. The support member 10depicted therein provides support for the sloped sheet 220 and raisesthe lower edge of the wall panel 112X to a distance H1, measuredrelative to the mounting surface 1. In the depicted embodiment, the topof the wall panel 112X is a second height H2 from the underlyingmounting surface. In some embodiments, the sloped sheet 220 and the wallpanel 112X have an L-shaped configuration. Other arrangements of thesloped sheet 220 and the wall panel 112X do not depart from the devicedisclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 11, two adjacent supports similar in structure tosecond support member size 10M and third support member size 10L areunited as single support member 410. The support member 410 provides afirst sloped surface 420 and a second sloped surface 20. The firstsloped surface 420 supports the load bearing panel 22M and the secondsloped surface 20 supports the load bearing panel 22L. In thisembodiment, the support member 410 provides a barrier between the twoload bearing panels of different sizes 22M, 22L. In some embodiments,support members of different sizes are united as a single support memberin a similar manner. In some embodiments, support members of the samesize are united as a single support member that provides the slopedsurface for two separate load bearing panels. In some embodiments, thesecond sloped surface 420 is removeably secured to the first side face10A or the second side face 10B.

FIGS. 13A and 13B depict a support member 310 with a shim receiving slot71C formed within the base arrangement 14. In the depicted embodiment, asupport shim 71 raises the support member 310 a height H10. In thedepicted embodiment, a shim protrusion 71D of the support shim 71extends beyond the height H10 to engage the shim receiving slot 71C, butother connection configurations do not depart from the device disclosedherein. In the depicted embodiment, the base arrangement 14 and thesupport shim 71 both extend the first length L1. In some embodiments,the support shim 71 is longer or shorter than the first length L1.

Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to thedetailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill inthe art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of theinvention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particularsituation or material to the teachings of the invention withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the invention not be limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A support member for elevating a retaining wallpanel, the support member comprising: a base arrangement having a firstarea, the base arrangement being configured to engage a mountingsurface; a height elevating section extending from the base arrangementproximate the first area to a second area, the height elevating sectionhaving a first receiving area configured to receive a wall panel; asloped surface extending between the base arrangement proximate thefirst area and the height elevating section proximate the second area,the sloped surface being configured to support a load bearing panelextending between the first area and the second area.
 2. The supportmember of claim 1, wherein the sloped surface comprises at least onemounting area for receiving a lateral brace member.
 3. The supportmember of claim 1, further comprising a second receiving area forsecuring a tension member thereto.
 4. The support member of claim 1,wherein the base arrangement comprises an anti-skid feature.
 5. Thesupport member of claim 1 comprised of a unitary body.
 6. The supportmember of claim 1, further comprising a gusset extending between thebase arrangement, the height elevating section and the sloped surface.7. The support member of claim 1, further wherein the base arrangement,the height elevating section and the sloped surface are connected to oneanother.
 8. The support member of claim 1, further comprising an openingextending laterally therethrough.
 9. The support member of claim 1,wherein the base arrangement, the height elevating section and thesloped surface form one of a triangular shape and a A-shape.
 10. Thesupport member of claim 1, having a first side face and a second sideface defining a lateral thickness between the first side face and thesecond side face.
 11. The support member of claim 1, wherein the slopedsurface is at a first angle relative to the base arrangement and whereinthe first angle being from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees.
 12. Thesupport member of claim 1, wherein the height elevating sectioncomprises an edge oriented at a second angle relative to the basearrangement, the second angle being less than 90 degrees.
 13. Thesupport member of claim 1, wherein the height elevating sectioncomprises an edge oriented at a second angle relative to the basearrangement, the second angle is about 87 degrees.
 14. The supportmember of claim 11, wherein the first receiving area is configured suchthat the wall panel is configurable in a vertical orientation when thebase arrangement positioned on the mounting surface.
 15. The supportmember of claim 10, wherein the height elevating section extends aheight and the base arrangement extends a length, and the support memberhas an aspect ratio equal to the thickness divided by a sum of theheight plus the length.
 16. The support member of claim 15, wherein theaspect ratio is a fractional number.
 17. The support member of claim 15,wherein the aspect ratio is greater than 1.0.
 18. The support member ofclaim 1, wherein the height elevating section slopes inwardly toward thefirst area.
 19. The support member of claim 1, wherein the heightelevating section slopes outwardly away from the first area.
 20. Thesupport member of claim 1, wherein the height elevating section ispositioned a predetermined distance above the mounting surface.
 21. Thesupport member of claim 1, further comprising a lip extending from thebase arrangement proximate the first area, the lip having a panelreceiving area configured to receive an end of a load bearing paneltherein.
 22. The support member of claim 1, wherein the receiving areaof the height elevating section is configured to abut the wall panel ina vertical orientation when the base arrangement is positioned on themounting surface.
 23. The support member of claim 1, comprising anelongate beam.
 24. The support member of claim 1, comprising flat sheetconfiguration.
 25. The support member of claim 1, wherein the slopedsurface is removeably secured to the base arrangement and the heightelevating section.
 26. The support member of claim 1, wherein the slopedsurface is selectively positionable on and removeably secured to thebase arrangement and the height elevating section.
 27. The supportmember of claim 1, wherein the base arrangement and the height elevatingsection have an L-shaped configuration.
 28. The support member of claim1, wherein the base arrangement and the height elevating section are aunitary member.
 29. The support member of claim 1, wherein the heightelevating section is integral with the wall panel.
 30. The supportmember of claim 1, wherein the wall panel extends from the slopedsurface.
 31. The support member of claim 1, wherein the wall panel andthe sloped surface have an L-shaped configuration.
 32. The supportmember of claim 1, wherein wall panel and the sloped surface areoriented at an angle relative to one another and wherein the angle isless than 90 degrees.
 33. The support member of claim 1, wherein thebase arrangement has a shim receiving slot formed therein.
 34. Thesupport member of claim 1, at least one of the first side face and thesecond side face have a second sloped surface extending therefrom. 35.The support member of claim 34, wherein the second sloped surface isintegral with the at least one of the first side face and the secondside face.
 36. The support member of claim 34, wherein the second slopedsurface is removeably secured to the at least one of the first side faceand the second side face.
 37. A retaining wall elevating structurecomprising: at least one of the support members of claim 1; and at leastone load bearing panel disposed on the at least one support member. 38.The retaining wall elevating structure of claim 37, wherein the loadbearing panel extends in a sloped manner between the mounting surfaceproximate the first area to height elevating section proximate secondarea.
 39. The retaining wall elevating structure of claim 37, furthercomprising a wall panel extending substantially vertically upward fromthe mounting surface and positioned substantially vertically along thefirst receiving area.
 40. The retaining wall elevating structure ofclaim 37, further comprising liner draped over the wall panel and theload bearing panel.
 41. The retaining wall elevating structure of claim37, further comprising: at least two support members of any one of thepreceding claims; and wherein the load bearing panel is disposed on andextends over the at least two support members.
 42. The retaining wallelevating structure of claim 37, further comprising at least one lateralbrace member extending between the at least two support members.
 43. Theretaining wall elevating structure of claim 41, wherein the load bearingpanel is supported by the at least one lateral brace member.
 44. Theretaining wall elevating structure of claim 37, wherein the supportmember is positioned substantially inwardly of the wall panel.
 45. Aretaining wall system, comprising a plurality of support members, theplurality of support members comprising a first support member size, asecond support member size and a third member support size, wherein thefirst support member size is smaller than the second support member sizeand the second support member size is less than the third support membersize.
 46. The retaining wall system of claim 45, wherein a wall panel isdisposed in each adjacent pair of the support members so that the wallpanels all intersect a common horizontal plane.
 47. The retaining wallsystem of claim 45, further comprising at least one wall shim disposedin the receiving area to adjust a height of the wall panel.
 48. Theretaining wall system of claim 45, further comprising at least onesupport shim disposed under the support member to adjust a height of thewall panel.
 49. A retaining wall elevating member comprising: a slopedsheet; and a wall panel integral with and extending at an angle.
 50. Theretaining wall elevating member of claim 49, wherein the wall panel andthe sloped sheet have an L-shaped configuration.
 51. The retaining wallelevating member of claim 49, wherein wall panel and the sloped sheetare oriented at an angle relative to one another and wherein the angleis less than 90 degrees.
 52. An ice skating rink comprising theretaining wall system of claim
 45. 53. The ice skating rink of claim 52,wherein the support members are positioned substantially inside therink.
 54. The ice skating rink of claim 52, further comprising a linerdraped over a plurality of tension members, the tension membersextending under the liner and being in frictional engagement with themounting surface, one of the tension members being secured to each oftwo generally opposing support members.
 55. The ice skating rink ofclaim 52, further comprising a bracket for supporting a retaining walland a liner draped over a plurality of tension members extending underthe liner and in frictional engagement with the mounting surface, one ofthe tension members being secured to one of the support members and abracket.
 56. The ice skating rink of claim 55, wherein the bracket islocated substantially outside of the ice skating rink.
 57. The supportmember of claim 1, wherein the base arrangement extends from the firstarea to a third area proximate to the mounting surface.